Water heater



Sept 3 1929- L. T. wlLcox 1,726,686

- WATER HEATER Filed Nov. 16, 192e 5 sneetslsneet 1 A TTORNEYS Sept. 3, 1929. L T, WILCOX n 1,726,686

WATER HEATER Filed Nov. 16, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZQTZ A TTORNEY` L. T. WIL-COX WATER- HEATER Sept. 3, 1929.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l Filed Nov. 16, 192e A TTQRNEYS structedly Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,726,686 PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS T. WILCOX, OF PEEKSKILL,

NEW YORK, ASSIGNORITO WILCOX PATENTS COR- PORATION, OF PEEKSKILL, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

WATER HEATER.

Application led November 16, 1926. Serial No. 148,648.

My invention relates to water heaters, particularly of the type in which the water is heated by passing through coils within a chamber where they are subjected to heat from a suitable burner underneath the coils. Such heaters commonly have a plurality of spiral coils in a casing connected at' top and bottom to manifolds or headers which are secured to the casing and communicate externally with water inlet and outlet pipes.

Among the objects of my invention are improved efficiency, facility in assembling the coils and headers within the heater casing, sturdiness and relative immobility of the parts when assembled, convenience in erecting, handling and operating, and economy in manufacture. i

Another object is the substantial elimination of condensation on the cold water pipe or manifold within the heating chamber, and the provision of means to avoid the possibility of any such drops from falling into the burner.

Still other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following particular description.

In accordance with my invention one or more spirally arranged coils connect at their bottom ends to a cold water inlet and at their upper ends to the hot water delivery pipe, and

are arranged with the successive superposed coils staggered with respect to those immediately beneath, with the result that the hot gases rising from the fiame impinge unobupon every turn of the coils.

Where a plurality of coils are used, they connect at top and bottom into manifolds, and my invention contemplates means whereby the manifolds are quickly and easily secured to the casing for coupling to the inlet and outlet pipes in such a manner that the manifolds cannot turn in their seats.

As a provision for avoiding the formation of moisture of condensation on the cold water or inlet manifold, which is a common condition in water heaters particularly where the ame. impinges directly upon the manifold, I provide at intervals alongthe manifold integral fins or projections of the metal which conduct the heat to the manifold walls and reduce if not entirely eliminate condensation. My invention also. contemplates suitable means underneath the manifold to collect and conduct away any moisture which does Vform uponfand run down from the manifold, which means are of such a character as negligibly to shield the manifold from the heatof the burner.

My invention also includes other features of construction as will hereinafter more fully appear. I shall now describe the illustrated embodiment of my invention and shall thereafter point out my invent-ion inv claims.

Fig. l is a central vertical section through a heater embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View in elevation of the upper part of the heater with a swinging section open so as to expose the inside of the heater;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the top of the heater;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of the bottom manifold taken on line 5 5 of Fig. l and looking toward the rear of the heater;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the heater on the line 6-6 of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section base on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2.

The casing of the illustrated heater is composed of sheet metal, being either stamped or cast to the desired shape, and includes an upper cylindrical main within which the water tubes are contained, and a lower or base part within which the burner is supported in proper relation to the water coils. The casing is composed of two vertical sections each substantially 180 degrees in length, the reary section l being fixed or stationary and having the base portion integral therewithin the form shown, while the front section 2 of the casing is hinged to the stationary rear section, as will be presently described.

The burner in the illustrated construction is so mounted on the base as to allow it to be swung out clear of the heater for more ready accessibility in cleaning or re-wicking. This swinging construction of the burner constitutes the subject matter of my co-pending application, Serial No. 83,899, filed January 26, 1926, and since it forms no part of this invention, it will be briefly described.

The burner 3 is an oil burner of the blue flame type. The heater base which serves as the support for the burner consists of a semicircular Abottom member 4, substantially L- through the shape in cross-section, and the stationary partl of the main casing'connects with this bottom member 4 through two spaced uprights 5 and 6, although obviously this back for the base might, if desired, be continuous horizontally from end to end. rlhe front of the base is thus left entirely open. v

The front section 2 of the main casing is hinged to the section 1 on both sides to enable it to be swung in either direction for reasons pointed out in my said (3o-pending application. rlhe hinged pins for this swinging casing section on the right side are marked 7 and those on the left side are marked-8. Eitherpair of pins may beremoved and thus free the swinging section to be opened from that side. Vhen both pairs of hinged pins are in place, the swinging section 2 of the casing is locked against movement.

The burner is similarly hinged to the base. The swinging burner support consists of a semi-circular channel member 9 which is designed to fit vwithin the base member 4 on top of its inturned flange, and the oil pipe 10, which is closed at one end and connects at its other end with an oil reservoir (not shown) extends across the ends of this burner support 9 and is secured thereto by straps 11. The burner 3 is properly secured to the oil pipe 10 through straps or stirrups 12 and set screws 13 which pass through the overlapped upper ends of the stirrups 12 andbear against the respective feet of the burner which rest upon the flattened portions of the oil pipe in the usual way. The burner support `9 is hinged to the outer sides of the base uprights 5 and 6, the hinged pins 14 and 15 being removable, similar to the pins 7 and 8, to enable the burner and its support to be swung in either direction. The oil pipe 10 is easily reversed on the support 9, and the burner 8 is also reversible on' the oil pipe.

immediately above the burner flame impinges upon it is an inlet manifold 16, while the top of the heater is an outlet manifold 17. These two manifolds are se-. cured to the rear casing section 1, the lower manifold being preferably of brass or copper. The lower manifoldis of a length to extend substantially across the casing, while lthe upper manifold is substantially shorter. Both manifolds have externally threaded outer ends which extend through openings in the rear casing section 1, being clamped in place by clamping nuts 18 and 19, respectively, which bear against flattened portions on the outside face of thel casing wall surrounding the respective openings. A water inlet pipe 2O screws into the open end of the manifold 16, and a hot water outlet pipe 21 similarly screws into the outer end of the manifold 17.' f

' Each manifold has suitable means for bearing against the inner face of the casing wall, and there are also interlocking meanswithin the casing wall to hold the manifolds against rotation as the heater is being erected.

3 where the In 'the construction shown, the manifolds have integral collars 16a and 17 a, which bear against flattened seats 16b and 17", respectively, on the inner face of the casing around the respective inlet and outlet openings. Both of the collars 16EL and 17'nl are non-circular, being shown as hexagonal, and lugs 16c on the seat 16b are arranged to receive the collar 16'LL and lock the lower manifold against rotation, while lugs 17e on the seat 17b similarly receive the collar'17EL and lock the manifold 17.

A plurality of spiral water tubes or coils 22 extend between the two manifolds. These water coils are shown as four in number, but obviously a greater or smaller number might be employed. They are so designed that 'the successive turns of the coils are in' staggered relation to each other, that isfeach turn is above the space between the two turns below. The hot Vgases thus have free access as to all the turns of the water coils. The spaces between the turns will be sufficient to allow a free circulation so as not to interfere with the draught.

' The coils 22 enter the manifold .16.at its inner end, byleaving a substantial length of this manifold for pre-heating the water before it enters the coils. To augment this preheating action, and thus minimize the condensation of moisture upon provide the manifold with a plurality of lateral fins or projections 23 along its length. These may be more or less closely spaced according to conditions.VA TheyV quickly become very hot in the flame of the burner and aid very materially in raising the temperature of the waterpassing through the inanifoldbefore reaching the Awater coils. rlhe temperature of the manifold wall is, therefore, higher' than it'would otherwise be,l and the'condensation of the moisture yisthus'reduced if not entirely prevented. r

One of the chief disadvantages in the formation of this moisture lupon the usual construction of Vmanifolds is the fact that the moisture collectsin drops and dripsdown into the burner. In addition to the means above described for substantiallyA reducing theformation of the condensation of moisture on .the-manifold, I have also provided means in accordance with my invention tc prevent any moisture which does condense upon the manifold from dropping down into the burner. I make the manifold lovalfinA shape with its maj or axis vertical, as shown infFig. 5, thereby vassuring that the moisture will run down .to the longitudinalfcentraliline of the bottom of the manifold, and along this line I form a depending webA 24 which, in the form shown, is of inverted T-shape in crosssection. The bottom ofthisweb 24 is inclined and its lower end extends outside the region of the burner intoV close proximity with the wall of the casing.- Not Vonly does this web 24 also aid in conducting heat to the manifold, but any moisture which does run this manifold, l l

iso

from the manifold will be collec-ted on this web and will be conducted along the bottom cross-fiange to one side of the burner and will run down the sidel of the casing with no bad effect. This web is shown as integral with the manifold. The lateral flange along its bottom edge will not be wide enough to interfere materially with the impinging of the flames upon the manifold.

A pipe collar 25 is secured to the back section l of the casing, and this leaves the front section 2 free to open and close without interfering with the pipe collar. A transparent window 26 of mica or other suitable material f is secured in a frame in the front section in proper location to afford observation to the flame.

It is obvious that various modifications may be -made in the construction shown in the drawings and above particularly described within the principle and scope o-f my invention.

I claim:

l. A water heater comprising a casing, two manifolds within the casing, one above the other and each secured to the casing wall and opening externally thereof, a plurality of water coils in the casing extending between and connecting the two manifolds, the lower manifold having a plurality of lateral projections along its length, and a source of heat underneath the lower manifold.

2. A water heater comprising a casing, two manifolds within the casing, one above the other and each secured to the casing wall and opening externally thereof, a plurality of water coils in the casing extending between and connecting the two manifolds, a source of heat underneath the lower manifold, and an inclined longitudinal web depending from the bottom of the lower manifold and extending at its lower end beyond the region over the source of heat.

3. A water hea-ter comprising a Casing, two manifolds within the casing, one above the other and each secured to the casing wall and opening externally thereof, a plurality of water coils in the casing extending between and connecting the two manifolds. a source of heat underneath the lower manifold, and an inclined, inverted T-shape longitudinal web depending from the bottom of the lower manifold and extending at its lower end beyond the region over the source of heat.

4. A water heater comprising a casing, two manifolds within the casing, one above the other and each secured to the casing wall and opening externally thereof, the lower manifold being oval in cross-section with its major axis vertical, a source of heat underneath the lower manifold, and an inclined, inverted T-shape longitudinal web depending from the bottom of the lower manifold and extending at its lower end beyond the region over the source of heat.

5. A water heater comprising a casing, two manifolds within the casing, one above the other and each secured to the casing wall and opening externally thereof, the lower manifold being oval in cross-section with its major axis vertical and having a plurality of lateral projections along its length, a source of heat underneath the lower manifold, and an inclined, inverted T-shape longitudinal Web depending from the bottom of the lower manifold and extending at its lower end beyond the region over the source of heat.

6. A water heater comprising a casing, a fuel burner in the lower part of the casing, an inlet conduit extending across the casing immediately above the burner and communicating with a water supply pipe externally of the casing, and an inclined conductor extending longitudinally underneath the inlet conduit arranged to receive and conduct to its lower end moisture of condensation from the conduit and extending with its lower end beyond the region ofthe burner.

7. A water heater comprising a casing, a fuel burner in the lower part of the casing, an inlet conduit extending across the casing immediately above the burner and communieating with a water supply pipe externally of the casing, and a depending rib on the lower side of the conduit extending longitudinally thereof and having its bottom edge inclined and extending with its lower end beyond the region of the burner.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my signature.

LEWIS T. WILCOX. 

